One-step synthesis and gas sensing properties of hierarchical Fe doped Co3O4 nanostructures

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2017-11, Vol.723, p.779-786
• Main Authors: Zhang, Nan, Qin, Qixuan, Ma, Xiaohui, Zhou, Jingran, Sun, Liang, Chen, Chuan, Wen, Shanpeng, Chen, Yu, Ruan, Shengping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Co3O4; Optimum operating temperature; Three-dimensional; Xylene sensor
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.06.301

Co3O4 with hierarchical nanostructure was prepared by a low-cost and environmentally friendly one-step solvothermal method. In the process of material synthesis, ethanolamine (EA) was used to assemble nanosheets in a way to have flower-like hierarchical morphology. The crystallinity and valence state of the prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also used to demonstrate the extraordinary 3D nanostructures characteristic of the materials. The gas sensing properties of the as-prepared pure Co3O4 and Fe-doped Co3O4 were tested toward various gases. The results showed that the sensor based on 6.0 at% Fe-doped Co3O4 exhibited the optimum performance, with the highest response of 18.2–100 ppm xylene, a fast response time (40 s) and recovery time (35 s) at a low optimum operating temperature of 175 °C. It's worthy to mention that for a Co3O4-based material, the optimum operating temperature of the nanomaterials prepared in our study is much lower than those reported in previous literature. •Flower-like Co3O4 have been fabricated by a solvothermal method.•The flower-like structure was composed of single-crystalline porous nanosheets.•The flower-like Co3O4 showed a high response to xylene at 175 °C.•The gas sensors of the nanostructure showed low optimum working temperature.